Union Pacific to invest $36 million in Colorado rail infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to invest $36 million into its Colorado infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan for the year.
Passenger
LACMTA TBM for Regional Connector Project breaks through
Four months after its launch in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Regional Connector Transit Project tunnel boring machine (TBM) broke through the underground wall of the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill station.
Canada commits funds to Toronto Relief Line
The government of Canada pledged CA$27 million (US$19.54 million) toward Toronto’s planned Relief Line, but the city’s Mayor John Tory requested a provincial financial commitment to secure the project’s future.
Maryland takes steps to slow Purple Line progress
Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Secretary Pete K. Rahn has ordered a suspension of new contracts, hiring and non-essential procurements for the Purple Line project citing recent litigation.
FRA, FTA award $197 million in grants for PTC on passenger rail
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $197 million in grants last week to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads implement Positive Train Control (PTC) by Dec. 31, 2018.
WMATA resumes normal rush-hour service after SafeTrack, continues preventative maintenance
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is preparing for less disruptive maintenance and planned capital work after a year of its SafeTrack program.
Caltrain to use $21 million federal grant for PTC systems
Caltrain will receive a grant for $21.68 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
The grant will be used to dual equip seven Caltrain trains with Positive Train Control (PTC) systems in order to help commuter and intercity passenger railroads meet the December 31, 2018 deadline to implement PTC systems in order to improve safety.
Caltrain will use the grant to fund improvements to the PTC system that will enable operations south of San Jose on Union Pacific dispatch territory. The PTC solution Caltrain already has in progress is a Communications-Based Overlay Signal System (CBOSS). The grants under this program will be used to install PTC technology, including back office systems and wayside, communications, and onboard hardware equipment associated with railroads’ PTC systems.
“PTC is vitally necessary given how many people ride Caltrain every day,” said Caltrain General Manager & CEO Jim Hartnett. “This funding will ensure that our riders will continue to get to their destinations safely and securely.”
Cleveland RTA breaks ground on new Campus Station
Officials from the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA), along with community leaders, broke ground on a new $7.5-million station.
LA Metro approves $6.1B budget
The board of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority has approved the agency’s $6.1 billion budget for fiscal 2018.
The balanced budget increases spending by 1.4 percent over fiscal 2017.
GWI completes acquisition of Heart of Georgia Railroad
Genesee & Wyoming, Inc., completed its acquisition of the shares of Atlantic Western Transportation, Inc., parent company of Heart of Georgia Railroad, Inc. (HOG).
Union Pacific to invest $85 million in Illinois rail infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) is investing approximately $85 million in Illinois infrastructure this year. UP plans to increase safety and efficiency with these improvements.
Amtrak speeds Penn Station infrastructure renewal with schedule changes
Amtrak announced preliminary schedule changes in efforts to speed up the infrastructure renewal at New York Penn Station.
Librera heads MTA Staten Island Railway
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appointed Sally Librera, to vice president and chief officer of the Staten Island Railway (SIR).
GO Transit celebrates 50 years serving Ontario
GO Transit marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating the Ontario transit’s ability to make it easier for people to travel across Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
Metra receives $20-million grant for PTC
Metra will receive at $20-million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC) on its Milwaukee North and West lines.
Amtrak Board designates Chicago Union Station Master Developer
Amtrak designated a team lead by Riverside Investment & Development Co. as the Master Developer for commercial elements of Chicago Union Station (CUS) and neighboring Amtrak-owned properties.
Union Pacific to invest $49 million in Missouri rail infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to invest $49 million into its Missouri infrastructure in 2017. The investment is part of the Class 1’s $3.1-billion capital plan for the year.
Final RFP for MBTA Green Line project
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has asked for final proposals for the revived Green Line extension project from three design-build contractor teams shortlisted in February.
Metra Board approves inward-facing cameras; contracts for station, bridge work
The Metra Board of Directors approved a trio of contracts May 24 that will see inward-facing cameras installed on its system, renovations made to its Hazel Crest Station and work performed on several bridges.
N.Y. Gov. Cuomo outlines Penn Station action plan
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo outlined an action plan to help New York transit riders deal with the impending work Amtrak is planning at Penn Station during the summer.